By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
The Managing Director/ CEO, Kaduna Electric, Engr. Yusuf Usman Yahaya has disclosed that the unpaid electricity bills owed Electricity Distribution Companies across the country by the Military constitutes significant potion of total debt of DISCOs, a development he said is adversely affecting their operations.
Engr. Yusuf Usman Yahaya made the remark today in Kaduna when he received participants of Course 7, 2023 of the Army War College of Nigeria.
While acknowledging the fact that progress has been made in reconciling the indebtedness of the military as at 2021, Engr. Yusuf called for institutionalization of a framework that will clearly spell out who or which department of government does what and provides for sustainable mechanism that will ensure that electricity bills of military are paid as at when due.
He appreciated the contributions of the military in containing the internal security challenges in the country and especially in the Company’s operational jurisdiction and assured the visiting participants of the Army War College of the unwavering commitment of Kaduna Electric and its staff to supporting the service men in discharging the all important task of securing the country and its people.
“Kaduna Electric is the largest DISCO in terms of wide operational jurisdiction; we have our assets and network covering hundreds of kilometers across the four North-West states of Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara. Quite a large expanse of our franchise is bedeviled with menace of banditry and arm insurrection. Indeed, we would not have been able to discharge out duties and responsibilities in some of these areas but for the support of the military. We thank you most sincerely for your service to our nation and Kaduna Electric in particular”, the electricity boss said.
Engr. Yusuf Usman Yahaya also disclosed that Kaduna Electric is making investment in technology so as to automate some of its operation for greater productivity and improvement in service delivery.
Earlier in his address, the leader of the team, Brigadier General U. G. Yusuf stated that the Course 7, 2023 participants are on study tour to Kaduna State and part of their mandate is to undertake extensive study of current security arrangements for critical power infrastructure and how effective collaboration between actors in the security architecture and the electricity value chain will enhance the security of such critical national power assets.
He commended the Management of Kaduna Electric for accepting to share knowledge, experience and other valuable information with the participants and assured that the knowledge gained will be put to good use in improving security of not only Kaduna Electric’s infrastructure but the nation’s security in general.
He revealed that the participants are drawn from the three services of the Nigerian Military and that of some neighbouring countries.
High point of the visit was presentation on the operation of Kaduna Electric, knowledge sharing session and study tour of power supply installations within Kaduna metropolis.
